Beverage cup with integral foam insulating jacket

ABSTRACT

A beverage cup includes an inner plastic vessel having a bottom, a side wall structure and an upper rim. An insulating rubber foam jacket is bounded to the exterior surface of the bottom and side wall structure of the inner vessel for slowing the temperature change of a beverage contained within the inner vessel. The beverage cup may vary in size, shape, and color. The foam jacket&#39;s size and shape are dependent on that of the inner vessel, while its color may vary. The ensemble is manufactured by attaching the rubber foam insulating jacket to the outer surface of the vessel using a dual durometer process which creates a fusion that is much stronger than an adhesive or friction. The integral insulating outer foam jacket reduces the rate of heat transfer between the beverage and the surrounding atmosphere while also providing a smooth, comfortable grasping surface that avoids accumulation of condensation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beverage insulating devices and, more particularly, to an ensemble of a plastic cup and a foam insulating jacket combined through a dual durometer process to ensure a strong fusion and more efficient temperature control.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Most beverages are preferred by consumers at a temperature different than room temperature. Examples of these include coffee, tea, iced tea, soda, and water among others. However, thermal energy or heat will always flow from a material of a higher temperature to a material of a lower temperature through thermal conduction. This thermodynamic heat reaction can only be prevented or slowed through the use of thermal insulators, or materials with low thermal conductivities. A common problem with beverages is that the method used, if any, to keep the beverage temperature stable is not effective enough. Many cold beverages are served with ice. Without proper insulation, the ice will melt, causing the beverage to become warmer and diluted with water. Warmer beverages such as coffee are preferred at a high temperature and many consumers will refuse to drink coffee or tea if it has become too cold.

In view of the issue of thermal conduction in beverages, several attempts have been made by owners of the prior art to solve the issue. U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,349 to Tunberg discloses a protective sleeve that fits around a paper cup. U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,656 to Carlson discloses an insulation sleeve of felt-like material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,780 to Adado discloses a drinking cup with an insulating sheath mounted on the sidewall of the container, with the sheath preferably made of closed cell polyolefin elastomeric material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,480 to Choi discloses a disposable insulated drinking cup, including an air filled spacer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,363 to Rule, Jr. discloses sleeves for paperboard cups. The previous art fails to use as effective of a thermal insulation technique and furthermore fails to combine such a technique with a plastic inner cup in a strong fusion.

In view of the issue of thermal conduction in beverages and of the shortcomings of the prior art at addressing the issue, there remains a need for an insulated cup ensemble which has a strong bond and can be sold as one unit and which prevents a substantial amount of heat from entering or leaving the beverage container in order to maintain temperature stability.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a plastic cup intended for containing beverages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plastic cup intended for containing beverages which is insulated with a rubber foam jacket.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated plastic cup, as described above, in which the plastic cup and rubber foam jacket are fused through a dual durometer process to ensure the quality and strength of the fusion.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated plastic cup, as described above, which reduces the thermal conduction between the beverage and the surrounding atmosphere.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulted plastic cup, as described above, which is easy to manufacture, package and distribute.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated plastic cup, as described above, which can be sold at an affordable price or given away to attendees at a stadium event as a promotional item.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated plastic cup, as described above, which can vary in size, shape, and color.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an insulated plastic cup, as described above, which is readily adapted for application of printed indicia, such as sports team logos, college logos, brand names, or advertising information.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an assembly of a cup with an integral rubber foam jacket intended for containing beverages. The cup can be made in varying sizes, shapes, and colors and may include indicia such as logos, brand names, advertising information etc. The cup is composed entirely of an organic amorphous solid, or more commonly known as plastic. A rubber foam jacket with low thermal conductivity is attached to the outer layer of the plastic cup in a dual durometer process which combines the two materials at a molecular level to ensure a strong fusion and more effective thermal insulation. The colors and printed indicia on the plastic cup and insulating rubber foam jacket are independent of each other. The assembly is not intended for separation; the plastic cup is meant to be insulated at all times. The insulating rubber foam jacket is able to withstand cleaning in a traditional dish washer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 2-2 as shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the assembly of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a preferred embodiment of the beverage cup is shown, wherein the entire assembly of the beverage cup is generally indicated as 10.

The cup 10 is composed of an inner vessel 20 formed of a plastic material and an outer insulating jacket 30. The inner vessel includes a bottom 22 and a frustoconical side wall 24 extending upward from the bottom to a top rim 26. A beverage holding chamber 28 is surrounded by the side wall 24 and the bottom 22. The bottom 22 and the side wall 24 have outer surfaces 25 that define an exterior configuration of the inner vessel 20 below the rim 26. The insulating jacket 30 is composed of a rubber foam material 32 and is attached to the outer surfaces of the side wall 24 in such a way that the entire outer surfaces 25 of the bottom 22 and the side wall 24 are covered by the insulating jacket 30. More specifically, the insulating jacket 30 has inner surfaces 33 that are sized, shaped and configured to be congruent to the exterior configuration of the inner vessel 20. The top rim 26 extends further upwards above the top end 34 of jacket 30 to provide a lip engaging surface for the user's lower lip when drinking a beverage from the cup 10. Molecular fusion of jacket 30 to the outer surface of the vessel is accomplished through a dual durometer process which increases the strength of the bond and the effectiveness of the thermal insulation. The insulating jacket 30 has a thickness which reveals the top end 34 of jacket 30. Beyond this feature, the design of the insulated cup assembly 10 is not limited by any particular size, shape, color or design.

Referring to FIG. 2, the thickness of the insulating jacket 30, including the top end 34, is seen. The top rim 26 surrounds an open top of the inner vessel 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view taken along 3-3 as illustrated in FIG. 2, an example of the fusion between the inner vessel 20 and jacket 30 is illustrated. Noted in the illustration is the surface interface between the outer surfaces 25 of the inner vessel 20 and the inner surfaces 33 of the insulating jacket 30. Beyond their molecular compositions and positioning in relation to each other, the shape, size, color and design of cup 20 and jacket 30 are not limited in anyway.

While the present invention has been shown in accordance with a preferred and practical embodiment, it is recognized that departures from aspects of the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The drawings and the foregoing description are not intended to represent the only form of the invention in regard to the details of its construction and manner of operation. In fact, it will be evident to one skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although specific terms have been employed, they are intended in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being delineated in the following claims. 

1. A beverage container assembly comprising: an inner vessel formed of a rigid material and having a bottom and a side wall surrounding a chamber for containing a beverage, and an outer surface with an outer wall configuration, and said inner vessel further including a top rim extending above said side wall and said outer surface; an outer jacket formed of a rubber insulating material composition and having an inner surface that is sized, shaped and configured to be congruent to said outer wall configuration of said inner vessel so that said outer jacket fits tight around said outer wall configuration of said inner vessel, and said outer jacket being structured and disposed for insulating said chamber in order to reduce a rate of change of temperature of the beverage contained therein; and said top rim of said inner vessel extending upwardly above a top surface of said outer jacket to provide a lip engaging surface for a user's lower lip when drinking the beverage from said assembly.
 2. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said outer jacket is attached to said outer surface of said inner vessel by a dual durometer process that creates a molecular fusion between said inner vessel and said outer jacket to thereby prevent separation of said outer jacket from said inner vessel.
 3. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said outer jacket is attached to said inner vessel by friction created by the tight fit of said inner surface of said outer jacket around said outer surface of said inner vessel.
 4. A beverage container assembly comprising: an inner vessel formed of a rigid material and having a bottom and a side wall surrounding a chamber for containing a beverage, and an outer surface with an outer wall configuration, and said inner vessel further including a top rim extending above said side wall and said outer surface; an outer jacket formed of a rubber insulating material composition and having an inner surface that is sized, shaped and configured to be congruent to said outer wall configuration of said inner vessel so that said outer jacket fits tight around said outer wall configuration of said inner vessel, and said outer jacket being structured and disposed for insulating said chamber in order to reduce a rate of change of temperature of the beverage contained therein and said outer jacket being attached to said outer surface of said inner vessel by a dual durometer process that creates a molecular fusion between said inner surface of said outer jacket and said outer surface of said inner vessel to thereby prevent separation of said outer jacket from said inner vessel; and said top rim of said inner vessel extending upwardly above a top surface of said outer jacket to provide a lip engaging surface for a user's lower lip when drinking the beverage from said assembly. 